Family relationships

This page lists the Dutch words for family members and their English translation.

Dutch term English translation
aangetrouwde … kin by marriage, no blood relationship.
achterkleindochter great-granddaughter
achterkleinzoon great-grandson
achterneef male: first cousin once removed or second cousin
achternicht female: first cousin once removed or second cousin
broer, broeder brother
dochter, dr. Daughter
echtgenoot husband, spouse (male)
echtgenote wife, spouse (female)
grootmoeder grandmother
grootouders grandparents
grootvader grandfather
halfbroer halfbrother
halfzus halfsister
huisvrouw housewife, can mean ‘wife’ in early documents
kind child
kinderen children
kleindochter granddaughter
kleinkind grandchild
kleinkinderen grandchildren
kleinzoon grandson
man man, husband
moeder mother
neef (male) cousin or nephew
nicht (female) cousin or niece
oma grandmother
oom uncle
opa grandfather
ouders parents
oudoom greatuncle
oudtante greataunt
overgrootmoeder great-grandmother
overgrootvader great-grandfather
schoonmoeder mother-in-law
schoonouders parents-in-law
schoonvader father-in-law
schoonzus sister-in-law
stiefmoeder stepmother
stiefvader stepfather
tante aunt
vader father
van halve bedde literally: ‘of half bed’, meaning sharing only one parent
vrouw woman, wife
weduwe widow
weduwnaar widower
zoon, zn. Son
zus, zuster sister
zwager brother-in-law
About Yvette Hoitink

Yvette Hoitink, MLitt, CG®, QG™ is a professional genealogist, writer, and lecturer in the Netherlands. She has a Master of Letters in Family and Local History from the University of Dundee, and holds the Certification of Genealogist and Qualified Genealogist credentials. Yvette served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Genealogists and won excellence awards for her articles in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly and the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly. Yvette has been doing genealogy for over 30 years. She helps people from across the world find their ancestors from the Netherlands and its former colonies, including New Netherland. Read about Yvette's professional genealogy services.

Leave comment

*